By Mark Doyle

The Bayern Munich-bound coach took charge of the Blaugrana during the same summer that the Brazilian left Camp Nou for AC Milan but the latter says there was no falling out

Ronaldinho has dismissed the suggestion that he was forced out of Barcelona by Pep Guardiola when the Spaniard took charge of the Catalans in the summer of 2008.

The Brazilian's departure from AC Milan coincided with Guardiola's arrival as coach, but the Atletico Mineiro playmaker insists that there was no clash of personalities, revealing that he enjoys an excellent rapport with the the former Blaugrana boss, who is now poised to take charge of Bayern Munich.

"I didn't leave because of Guardiola," Ronaldinho told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Every time that we meet, I feel a tremendous joy.

"He is a great coach, who will definitely prompt a real boost in quality at Bayern."

Ronaldinho admitted, though, that he enjoyed an even better special relationship with Guardiola's predecessor, Frank Rijkaard.

"The coach with whom I worked best was Rijkaard," he enthused. "He is one that knows the beautiful game and the characteristics of players; he had great respect for us."

Turning his attention to another of his former clubs, Ronaldinho ruled out the prospect of him returning to Paris Saint-Germain - despite the presence of compatriot and ex-AC Milan boss Leonardo at Parc des Princes in his new role as a sporting director.

"Leonardo? He has always been a friend of the family," the former Ballon d'Or winner explained. "At Milan, he afforded me a lot of freedom on the field. But there has been no proposal [from PSG]."

Ronaldinho is instead content to watch from afar as PSG look to establish themselves among the game's elite, which is precisely why he feels star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic should resist the urge to return to Italy.

"Ibra should stay," he argued. "PSG are working to become one of the best clubs in Europe."

Ronaldinho spent two seasons in the French capital before leaving in 2003 to join Barcelona, with whom he enjoyed the most productive years of his illustrious career.